BBC News Europe 9 October 2011 Last updated at 01:01 GMT Car-free Sunday for smog-struck Milan
The northern Italian city of Milan is banning all traffic from its streets for 10 hours on Sunday in an attempt to reduce smog. The measure, first imposed on a trial basis in 2007, is triggered whenever pollution exceeds the statutory limit for 12 consecutive days. Satellite imagery shows Milan to be one of the most polluted cities in Europe. An estimated 120,000 vehicles will be affected by the move, according to the Corriere della Sera newspaper. The most polluting vehicles have been banned from driving through the city centre since Thursday. But on Sunday, there will be no traffic at all permitted between 0800 and 1800 local time (07:00-17:00 GMT). The ban is imposed when pollution exceeds 50 micrograms of particulates per cubic metre of air over 12 days. The last time the full ban was in force was in February. The move is not popular with all environmentalists, who argue that the city's public transport system should be improved to discourage people from using their cars. Local Green Party councillor Enrico Fedrighini said cars with three or four people inside should be offered free parking, for example. "One or two car-free Sundays each month won't do anything to tackle the smog crisis," he told Corriere della Sera. Public transport will be bolstered during the day, with an extra metro trains and buses operating. Are you in Milan? What do you think of the car ban? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. Send your pictures and videos to [email protected] or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions More Europe stories German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a conference in Nuremberg, 7 OctoberBerlin to host euro crisis talks French President Nicolas Sarkozy is to visit Berlin to discuss differences with German Chancellor Angela Merkel over the eurozone debt crisis. Poland votes in general election Live - Japanese Grand Prix BBC BBC © 2011 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more. ------------------------------------ Post message: [email protected] Subscribe : [email protected] Unsubscribe : [email protected] List owner : [email protected] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
